David Beckham refuses to contemplate the disastrous scenario of England failing to qualify for Euro 08.

Wednesday's 2-1 defeat by Germany at Wembley has prompted concern as England look forward to the two must win qualifiers against Israel and Russia at the national stadium next month.

But Beckham insists there is the quality and strength within the squad to ensure England will be in Austria and Switzerland next summer.

"We cannot afford not to qualify," said the former skipper. "It is unthinkable that a nation like us, with the players and the team we have, is struggling to qualify."

What Beckham wants to do now is revive the feelgood factor evident after the draw with Brazil and the convincing win in Estonia rather than dwell on the setback against Germany.

He added: "When you lose a game - especially against Germany-it is difficult. But we have done well in the last couple of games and got ourselves back into a better position.

"We just have to carry that on. These next two games are massive for us and we have got to make Wembley a horrible place for people to come and play."

Beckham's recall to the England fold has edged him close to the 100-cap mark but he put personal achievement aside as he spoke of the importance of victories in the next two matches. "It will mean the world to me to get that 100th cap," he admitted. "But if we lose those games and don't qualify then there is going to be disappointment there.

"It is so important that we prepare well over the next two weeks and get ourselves ready. They are huge games."

There was consolation to be found from the Germany game for Beckham.

"I think we played some positive football in the first 20 minutes," he said. "Now we must take that into the qualifying games because we cannot afford to lose those.

"We had 16 shots on goal. And we created them. Maybe further into the season we will be sharper and put them away."

Injuries depleted Steve McClaren's squad but Beckham insisted: "We can't have excuses. We should have the players in our country to deal with those situations, whether or not you have Steve Gerrard or Wayne Rooney above out of the side.

"We should have players who can come in and perform at the top level. It is so important."

And in those crucial clashes next month that could well decide England's fate as well as that of their manager, Beckham acknowledged that the crowd will have a significant part to play.

He said: "For the qualifying games there will be an electric atmosphere and they will be right behind us. They can help us get through."